Engineering - It's Built In!
Large-diameter, high-pressure, heavy, challenging metallurgy, and/or high-spec heat exchangers – this is our bread and butter. To chew through this type of work you need serious engineering and technical horsepower, which is why Altex has Professional Engineers and Technologists throughout our organization!
Our Professional Engineers are registered in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
In-House Engineering:
- Ten (10) P.Eng.
- Four (4) E.I.T.
- One (1) M.Eng.
- Three (3) B.Eng.
- Five (5) CET.
Breakdown Across Departments:
- Sales, thermal design and estimating - 3 P.Eng., 1 EIT., 2 CET.
- Mechanical engineering & drafting - 4 P.Eng., 1 CET.
- Project management - 1 P.Eng., 1 EIT., 2 B.Eng., 1 M.Eng.
- Quality Control & Welding – 1 B.Eng.
- Field services - 2 EIT.
- Senior management - 2 P.Eng., 2 CET.
The Latest Codes and Specifications:
- ASME Section VIII - Division 1
- ASME Section I
- ASME B31.3
- TEMA
- API 660, 661
Design Software:
- Thermal: HTRI and in-house programs.
- Mechanical: PV Elite, Code Calc, Compress, Nozzle-Pro, FE Pipe, 661 Pro, Flanged & Flued.
- Drawing: 3D modeling using Autodesk Inventor, and 2D fabrication drawings using AutoCAD.
Canadian CRN Registrations for New Designs, Alterations and Repairs:
- Alberta
- British Columbia (BC)
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island (PEI)
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Engineering FAQ's
Are U-Bend thinning calculations required for all U-Bend rows?
Yes, U-Bend calculations should generally be done for each tube row. But technically the greatest thinning will occur in the row with the smallest bend radius (innermost tube rows). If the thinning on the inner most tube row is acceptable, we usually do not worry about the other tube rows.
What is the criteria for the baffle design?
Baffles are not pressure parts hence they are usually selected based on the criteria specified in TEMA.
What is a Fiver Plate?
A Fiver plate is a partial baffle that covers the outer 5 rows of the tube field. This can be used at the shell inlet and outlet to reduce tube vibration.
Why is the tube wall reduction only 1-3% in our tube-to-tube sheet configuration with a strength weld?
Per UW-20 in ASME VIII Div. 1, a strength weld is equal to or larger than the axial strength of the tube. If additionally, a light roll is required, a light roll of 1-3% is sufficient with a full-strength weld.
What is the difference between a nut stop and nut relief HB Forging?
A nut stop forging has a thicker neck under the flange than a nut relief so that the nut flats sit flush on the nozzle neck, not allowing it to rotate. This eliminates the need for a wrench on the under side of the flange during bolt up. A nut relief style has a thinner neck and requires a wrench to hold the nut when torquing to attached piping.
